The cost of living in the capital has increased by 6.47 per cent in 2016 due to increase in costs of various commodities and services, according to a report of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).
The rise in the living cost in the just concluded calendar year was 0.09 percentage point up from that of 2015, mentioned the report, released by the consumer rights group on Sunday.
The report, at the same time, said the prices of goods and services also shot up by 5.81 per cent in 2016.
Except a few items, commodity prices remained almost static to a large extent in 2016 compared to the previous year, said the study report.
It was prepared after reviewing the prices of 14 services, 114 food items and 22 other daily necessities in 15 markets across the capital.
It said in 2016 prices of rice and pulses increased by 2.87 per cent and nearly 10 per cent on an average respectively.
Prices of imported garlic witnessed maximum increase of 72.06 per cent, followed by local garlic (47 per cent), imported lentil (35.78 per cent,) and local lentil (12.98 per cent), in the aforesaid year, it also said.
According to the annual report, price of sugar increased by 46.05 per cent, while that of salt by 37.32 per cent, tea 11.70 per cent, cow milk 8.60 per cent, and meat 6.24 per cent.
Besides, price of local long cloth rose by 10.39 per cent, saree 12.06 per cent, and terry towel products 6.93 per cent.
The CAB report said prices of all varieties of rice witnessed an upward trend in both wholesale and retail markets towards the end of the year. The highest price hike was recorded in case of coarse rice variety.
However, prices of some commodities registered a downward trend in 2016. Of them, prices of imported onion fell by 50.76 per cent, followed by local onion 39.68 per cent, green chili 22.42 per cent, imported ginger 22.93 per cent, and local ginger 19.53 per cent.
About energy, it said the tariff of fossil fuel was decreased by 5.58 per cent. But the price cut was much lower comparing to the price fall in the global market.
About water, it said prices of piped water were increased twice by 22 per cent. CAB found no logical reason behind the hike, and so, it demanded to reconsider the decision.
According to the CAB report, house rent increased by 8.77 per cent in 2016, and there was no improvement in public transport system in the city. The traffic jam situation deteriorated further in the year.
It said although the health service facilities were expanded in the recent years, but the cost of medical treatment was high in 2016.
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